Dealership praise/horror stories

[lucian]

Auric Auto quoted me on a genuine Water pump, but replaced it with a used one, and charged me R5000 for the job, also asked them to check the radiator cause it normally gets busted by now, and they said that it is fine and that I should not worry about it.Now I am having to fork out more money to fix the shit they caused and on top of it u get really bad service which they not willing to compromise. Makes me wonder if it is really worth it going to Agents in the first place.

WHAT!!!!.
I bought a pump at masterparts for approx R300.00. Replaced it with 2 new belts, flushed the radiator and filled it with coolant all in all cost just over 1K.
It's not even that difficult to do.
They probably replaced the thermostat as well or the pump is gold plated to justify that expense.

---

Anybody know of an alternative to "For s dicks" for reliable service in Northern subs, Bellville surrounds?

 

[Farmer]

Auric Auto quoted me on a genuine Water pump, but replaced it with a used one, and charged me R5000 for the job, also asked them to check the radiator cause it normally gets busted by now, and they said that it is fine and that I should not worry about it.Now I am having to fork out more money to fix the shit they caused and on top of it u get really bad service which they not willing to compromise. Makes me wonder if it is really worth it going to Agents in the first place.

WHAT!!!!.
I bought a pump at masterparts for approx R300.00. Replaced it with 2 new belts, flushed the radiator and filled it with coolant all in all cost just over 1K.
It's not even that difficult to do.
They probably replaced the thermostat as well or the pump is gold plated to justify that expense.

---

Anybody know of an alternative to "For s dicks" for reliable service in Northern subs, Bellville surrounds?

---

huh... whay u want 4 small dicks bru :thinking:


only joking dude... :thumbsup:

 

[yoginnaidoo]

Had my turbo replaced and the car dyno tuned at RGM. No hassles to date.

Under M/Plan, had my '04 E46 330i to Clearwater BMW for a service + new clutch kit. Excellent service from Colin Chellan.

Needed spares for my 530d in Dbn - Excellent service from Dixon in Ptn

4 sticks PMB - Well, I had an issue with the 5 en-route to Dbn @ about PMB. Was referred to a MASTER Techie - Well this MT declares that all 6 injectors had packed in (over the cell, nogal)

Excellent service from Raymond @ Leo Haese (Parts) in Centurion, Werner and Koo in Parts @ JSN

 

[SLOW BMW]

SMG canal walk are friendly, but they are struggling some fault on my car (6 weeks running). not that i mind driving around with no traction control. at least they cannot complain about all the spinning if they cannot fix the problem....

---

oh...forgot to say i will probably never buy another model from BMW Cape town. their pricing is usually good, but there aftersales service sucks.....also, they take the cheapest options when touching up cars...I think....better double check when buying there...or any other the other dealers for that matter.

 

[Major]

I know it isn't BMW-related, but I wrote up on my experience with Barons Woodmead. Let me know what you think...

http://www.e30clubsa.co.za/forum/index.php?/topic/8544-need-to-vent/

 

[freerider]

Dude, that is shocking! Make a new thread about it here as well, the more google indexes it the more people will know what sharks they are when they google barons woodmead!

Funny enough, the EXACT same thing happened to me at Autowhores Angel, if they hadent screwed me over, I would be driving a 2002 alpine white 325ci now

 

[Major]

Will do!

 

[patrickdelport]

I had two bad experiences at Forsdicks Tygervalley, once I had my car there & it came back with scratches on the bonnet, roof & boot, it must have happened in the washing bay Im sure, the dude in charge there wanted to argue with me & even said my car was resprayed - wanting me to think the guys where I bought it from tried to hide something...& get this...they booked the car in to test the scratches to determine how old it was...needles to say they phoned me back with all being fixed

Another time I had the car for a service & when driving it home it made a clapping sounds once you turn, I phoned them, long story short they send me a quote for R15000 to fix what they thought the problem was...after investigation at a different mechanic we found they didnt fit the top shock mounting rubber perfectly...would have been a very expensive rip off.

Now I go to Zeemax in Paarden Eiland Cape Twon (www.zeemax.co.za) what a little treasure of heaven, no mess no fuss, no expensive mistakes, nice fokes & years & years of BMW Senior Mechanic experience, always good advice & not once have been ripped off. In actual fact according to me THAT IS BMW.

 

[freerider]

Zeemax are very good indeed :thumbsup:

 

[mahinder-suresh]

Menlyn motors:thumbsup: has given me brilliant service. Especially Gus-Service manager and Werner -DP

 

[liv]

My car went in to Club Motors Berea this morning - with a Loooonnnnnnngggg list of things to be fixed. Rudy assisted me when i got there, went through the list, and he added a few things on there that I hadn't noticed, like rear window beading - which apparently is a common problem on the E90.

I also noticed my Steering cover was peeling. thought it wasnt covered under M/P as with the Audi experience I had previously, and was scouting around for a suitable replacement, but he listed it as one of the problems as well...

So far, so good... will wait to see how things go when I get the car back tomorrow, and then will offer a full writeup.

Leo Haese Centurion - Sales team (Rocco Naude) is awesome! really good service there, although on the technical side, i'd rather have my maid service my car instead of them!!!

 

[ANiMOSiTY]

Cedar Isle Auto BMW

Useless cretins.

A week after purchasing the M5, I sent it in to Cedar Isle for a DIS Diagnostics and a Compression Test, due to the car being seriously sluggish and down on power. I had also requested that they test a spare set of MAFs which were in the car, and informed me which were buggered and which worked ok.
I was told to arrive at 7AM and wait for an hours or so for the car to be complete. I arrived at 7AM and patiently waited in the coffee area.
By 8:30AM, nobody had even looked at my car yet. Eventually I had to get a lift to my office at 9:30AM.
I was promised that the car would be ready before lunch, and ended-up having to telephone several times throughout the day to get an update. Every time, I was told "It's not ready". Eventually I went through at 16:30 and had to wait ANOTHER HOUR for the car to be finished.

The results I got, were pretty useless. Apparently one of the seat-heating elements was 0.02 volts under spec and nothing else was wrong with the car. When I asked for MAF test results, I was apologised to and informed that the mechanic had gone home already. The compression test showed a whole cylinder bank being down on compression - but no sensors were faulty.

Eventually I got the car diagnosed by a mate of a mate and it revealed the following:

Bank2 Exhaust Camshaft Sensor = FUBAR

A quick trip to JSN Motors, saw me picking-up two Exhaust CPSes (one for each bank) and I then prepared myself for a simple job, which ended-up taking close to 2 hours because there's no space to get-at the sensor from the top of the engine.
With the new sensor in, the SECOND I cranked the starter-motor, I could already feel that the engine was healthier. Took it for a drive and it's an absolute MONSTER. Fishtailing and tail-out cornering like it should.

I then did a compression test myself, with an old unit that I inherited from my grandfather..
No problems at all.

So I wasted my time and my money, with a useless and pointless "checkup" from Cedar Isle Auto.

DO NOT take your car there.

 

[freerider]

Shocking dude, I'm glad she's all better now though

 

[blaze94]

When i first bought my car i took it to Precision Performance in Montague Gardens for a full point check and service. The car already had an AA test done before i purchased it and there was a few minor faults but nothing that seemed major. I asked PP to check everything and give me a report of what needed replaced and they picked up on everything that they AA report highlighted without me mentioning the AA report. Overall very happy with their service.

 

[Twinz]

DONFORD Stellenbosch is simply the best...never ever had an issue or complain for the past 4 years...will not go anywhere for servicing my car. You get confirmation and a reminder of service booking; job card gets explained before service is undertaken especially if the car is out of warranty; if their is a problem with the car that requires extra attention the technician calls you to explain not the relationship liaison; after the service the dealership is rated by BMWSA and you are asked to comment on the recent service; the workshop and parts departments are very helpful and respond within a day on parts requests; car is always cleaned up after a service; the client relationship staff go out of their way to accomodate one on specific requests or for a courtesy vehicle or to be droppped at the office before a service and then another important part for me:

Warranty & Modifications - these matters are explained to the client before a service and i have never had a bad or unhelpful comment about the modifications to my car...whether it be body modifications/wheels/exhaust/suspension/or a tweak here or there...in fact i have always been treated with respect and consideration. The last thing you want is the dealer giving you poor service or acting like a police or detective because of a modification to your car. My point, you may not like my mods but give me the best service which i expect...this has been my experience at Donford Stellenbosch...:thumbsup::thumbsup:
Now i hope i get a reward for all the good things i have said...

 

[Beast_Power]

All I have learnt from this thread, is that I am the right path. If you can, DO IT YOURSELF!

A job well done is one that you have done yourself.

 

[///M_POW]

All I have learnt from this thread, is that I am the right path. If you can, DO IT YOURSELF!

A job well done is one that you have done yourself.

Agree,

I also noticed its cheaper to import parts, but that takes time...

Unless some has a contact at BMW that can give us 25% + discounts

 

[Beast_Power]

I always push BMW for discount, but of late Head Office has been clamping down on the guys at the dealerships.:cursin:

 

[m3nace]

Alrighty then...

The time is coming up for me to do an oil service on my E46 M3 so I started out getting a few quotes. I called Tune Tech (Deepa) who very very, very helpful. I got a very reasonable price and was given all the info regarding what oil is used, what work will be carried out, etc. I then called the stealer and the were reasonable as well:dropjaw:. I called RGM and they were helpful as well but were a bit too pricey for me. I then made a big mistake... I called Savspeed. The guy on the phoned didn't sound too pleased in giving me quote for a "lowly" oil change. I enquired about what oil will be used and was told "Castrol Magnatec". Being new to owning a BMW (especially an M car), I asked if this was a 10W60 oil (as this is what is recomended by BMW) and was told "NO, it's 20W50. That's what we use - we've been doing this for 10 years. If you want another oil - bring your own." I then asked if they do Liqui-Moly and was told "NO!" So politely I hung up.

I know that Savspeed is very reputable with the BMW brand but I definely won't be taking my car there as Savspeed definitely don't need my business. Oh, and by the way, I plan on keeping my M3 forever, so I'm looking for a workshop that I'm going to build a relationship with and have ALL my work done by them. If I get good service and workmanship on my oil change I am definitely going to become a repeat client and recomend the worshop to as many people as possible.

So I guess, it's off to Tune Tech

 

[liv]

I definitely reccomend to anyone on Midrand-PTA and around, and in need of services at a dealer - speak to Rudie Prinsloo at Club Motors Berea. Extremely knowledgable and kept me up to date. and the car came back better than its ever been!